Forests could soon be drivers of climate change The carbon cycle consists of a set of natural mechanisms that together process huge quantities of carbon dioxide. These mechanisms involve both the capture of carbon dioxide and its conversion to organic molecules in photosynthesis, and its release into the atmosphere through natural processes (respiration). Carbon sinks … Continue reading Things that keep me awake at night (2)
environment
Things that keep me awake at night (1)
Global warming will make some of us a lot colder Northern Europe is warmer than it should be, all other things being equal, thanks at least in part to ocean currents. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), of which the better-known Gulf Stream is a part, is an important convection current that moves warm water … Continue reading Things that keep me awake at night (1)
Net Genius Zero
The Economist reported recently that “Cheap solar power is sending electrical grids into a death spiral”. Solar power is now so cheap that it is breaking the model used to regulate the supply of energy in many nations. Pakistan, the Economist reports, “has sky-high energy prices, a legacy of expensive contracts to pay for capacity … Continue reading Net Genius Zero
Net Stupid Zero
The question “what should we do about climate change?” does not have a scientific answer: our response to the climate crisis will be guided by our moral values, and science does not answer moral questions. However, science can help us to understand the consequences of our decisions. For example, if global temperatures are increasing, will … Continue reading Net Stupid Zero
Science and Non-Science 